An analysis of cotton product competitiveness in the top ten cotton product exporters to the United States using the environmental analysis framework

by 1973- Jin, Yejuan

Abstract (Summary)

This study examined important environmental factors influencing the cotton
export performance in the current top ten cotton suppliers to the United States, including
Mexico, China, India, Honduras, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, El
Salvador, Indonesia, and Guatemala, using Austin’s Environmental Analysis Framework
(EAF). The research used secondary data collected from various government sources
with a 26 year time period from 1974 to 2000. The results indicate that three variables,
GNP, exchange rates, and roads, have significant positive impacts on U.S. cotton import
volume; while tariff rates have significant negative impacts on U.S. cotton import
volume. This study also examined trend and changes of U.S. cotton imports. The findings
have important managerial implication to U.S. cotton importers and retailers, and for the
ten cotton exporting countries.